#hosting-tips

#hosting-tips

The easiest and perhaps most obvious job at Christmas is to pour drinks: for the principal cook first, and then for others. Not only does popping a cork or shaking a cocktail make a cook feel less like a caterer and more like part of the party, the sound has the effect of drawing in other helpers. If you make a cocktail and divvy out jobs, even peeling vegetables is fun,

Every year when the leaves fall from the trees and the weather turns crisp, I haul my fondue pot out from the back of my kitchen cabinet, purchase a borderline obscene amount of Alpine cheese, and prepare to host one of my favorite gatherings of the year: a fondue party. Fondue parties are comforting and convivial, the perfect way to embrace the it's-dark-by-5 p.m. season with soft lighting, cozy vibes, and a bubbling, communal pot of cheese at the center of it all.

The season of twinkling lights, mulled wine, and present wrapping is almost upon us, and who better to guide us through the holiday party season than the ultimate hostess herself, Martha Stewart? Throwing a holiday party is about much more than just tasty food. Hosts create an atmosphere that helps guests feel welcome, comfortable, and cozy in their home. From the table settings to the lighting choices, every detail matters. And few understand this better than Stewart.

Hosting a cocktail party can be challenging, though. It's up to the host to make sure that everyone's comfortable and having a good time, and it's easy to get wrapped up in the idea that things need to be perfect. They don't. We reached out to a number of entertainment and beverage experts for tips on how to make hosting a cocktail party easier, and they all emphasized keeping things simple and focusing on the guests rather than aiming for perfection.

Hosting lunch parties can be more relaxing than dinner parties thanks to their informal atmosphere and smaller guest lists. Simple one-pot dishes suit this vibe well.

As a host, you cannot properly leave your own party, even though Miss Manners understands both that it has become a bore for you and that the guests are unlikely to notice your absence.

"Asking yourself this question before gatherings helps to ensure that your home isn't just clean, but functionally welcoming, with clear walkways and surfaces," Krueger says.

Halving baked goods not only reduces waste, allowing guests to enjoy smaller portions without leftovers, but it also lets them mix and match their favorites.

The connection between scents, emotions, and memories is powerful, allowing hosts to create a welcoming atmosphere through thoughtfully chosen fragrances.

"Not everybody thinks about all of these dietary restrictions, but because I have them, I do," London says. "I think about soy, dairy, gluten, nuts - anything that I think would be an issue."